Mercedes-Benz

E63 AMG W212 inspection checklist

2009-2011 · 5 things to check before you buy, taken from this car's known problems.

This car

highCylinder head bolt failure (early-build cars)

Look for: Early M156 engines can suffer cylinder head bolt failure. The torque-to-yield bolts can stretch and snap, and one failure overloads its neighbours. Coolant and oil then cross over, giving repeated low-coolant warnings, a high oil level, white exhaust smoke, a rough idle and a check-engine light; in a severe case the engine hydro-locks and is destroyed. Mercedes' April 2011 bulletin LI01.30-P-051567 covers engine numbers up to 1569xx 60 060658 (built 2006 to the first half of 2010). The W212 only went on sale in late 2009, so only the earliest AU cars sit inside the engine-number range; some owners believe later cars got revised bolts, but this is not confirmed by the bulletin we found.

If you find it: Get the engine number and ask the dealer or Mercedes for the build date and any head-bolt work done. For a 2009-2010 car, pressure-test the cooling system and check the oil for coolant. A low-coolant warning needs diagnosing before purchase.

Any

highCamshaft lobe and valve lifter wear

Look for: The M156 is known for valve-train wear: lifters can stop spinning or seize and damage cam lobes, and camshaft adjusters can fail. Mercedes acknowledged it in service bulletin S-B 05.20/20b (2009). Start-up rattle or clatter is the warning sign. Owners also report regular oil changes as the best defence.

If you find it: Listen on a cold start; look for service history with frequent oil changes. Repair is camshafts and lifters, often alongside other engine work.

Any

mediumRear air suspension leaks

Look for: Owner-reported: rear air springs or an air line between the compressor and valve block can fail, so the back of the car sags overnight or a suspension warning appears.

If you find it: Check ride height after the car has stood overnight. Replace the failed air spring or line; budget for pairs.

Owner-reported: any age

mediumMCT gearbox hesitation and valve body faults

Look for: Owner-reported: some cars hesitate on upshifts in manual mode at high throttle, and one reported case had the conductor plate/valve body replaced after the car would not select drive. Others report no gearbox trouble at all.

If you find it: Test in auto and manual on a full-warm car for hesitation, slip or harsh engagement; get a transmission scan before buying.

Owner-reported: mixed

mediumSticking fuel injectors

Look for: Owner-reported (from a UK buyer's guide): M156 injectors can stick open, washing the bores or in the worst case hydraulically locking a cylinder.

If you find it: Ask whether injectors have been replaced preventively; a misfire or fuel smell on start-up is a warning.

Owner-reported: high km

1 minor thing (low severity)

lowAMG brakes and tyres are costly

Look for: Owner-reported: front rotors run to many hundreds of dollars each and carbon-ceramic brakes cost roughly double. The wide performance tyres wear quickly.

If you find it: Check disc lip, pad depth and for ceramic brakes; price a full brake service before you buy.

From FlamingCars' Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG guide. It's a checklist of known problems, not a replacement for a professional pre-purchase inspection. Your ticks are kept in this browser only.